There was a brief hope over the weekend that two of the south coast’s biggest festival organisers would combine forces and save a much loved venue from extinction.

The campaign to save Southampton’s Talking Heads’ 20-year live music legacy naturally started online and quickly collected 3000 supporters on Facebook.

Meanwhile on Twitter a plea for help and the hash tag #saveourheads was sent to friends and the famous to galvanise support and hopefully find a saviour.

On Saturday both John Giddings (Isle of Wight festival) and Rob da Bank (Bestival) re-tweeted a supporting message and seemed to intimate that they were actually interested in buying the venue.

Because just after @JohnGiddings01’ re-tweeted #saveourheads @RobdaBank replied “buy it! ” and then Giddings responded “let’s do it together”

If only we had used Twitter properly.

A quick click would have revealed that both promoters were really talking about a local coffee shop that had suddenly closed.

Instead we jumped to a rather desperate conclusion that two people with enough logistical problems on their plate would actually contemplate running a small south coast venue and all the hassle that that ensues.

So the rumour spread during Saturday, continued around the venue during its glorious last night of music and, I confess, that due to my radio show going live after 6pm that night I too was caught up in the excitement and broadcast the rumour without checking the facts.

But the sad truth is both John and Rob were not talking about saving the Talking Heads: just keeping frothy heads on a corner-shop cappuccino.

One coincidence is that Southampton’s Band of Skulls, who have a very strong connection with the Talking Heads pub, are playing this year’s Isle of Wight festival – Bestival will be announced shortly.

Bury Tomorrow’s Official Music Video for ‘Lionheart’. The first single taken from their upcoming second album ‘The Union Of Crowns’. Directed by Tom Welsh @ getdeluxe.org and filmed at the St Mary’s church, Bishopstoke.

A favourite moment during ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ is when a simple question stumps Spock during a complicated test.

“How do you feel?” befuddles his Vulcan mind, yet begins to draw out his human emotions. A classic Trek moment.

Innocent questions are no problem for Sean McGowan who at first resorts to humour when asked: “Are you angry?”

“I’m angry QPR lost to Fulham, I’m angry I never got to see the Clash, I am furious that I can’t afford a better car than ‘Fiona’ my P reg banger.”

And that’s exactly what you get from his lyrics: the events and problems of daily life, expertly wrapped up in three minutes by Southampton’s folk/punk poet.

“I’m eighteen. I have strong feelings towards everything.” Sean continues, “I am angry, I feel certain things need to change. My views are expressed in my music, I have no intention to have any political influence.“

What he would like to see is debate: “I want people to question and challenge things they disagree with. Everyone has a voice and an opinion, imagine if they could actually have a ’say’ whether it be through music, art or any means necessary!”

His songs are definitely stirring up music lovers with 100 downloads, in 24hrs, propelling him to the top of the Mintsouth charts.

This Saturday, at the Joiners, he launches his début EP ‘McGovernment’ where the audience will hear a slice of what Sean calls: “The People’s Music.”

www.facebook.com/seanmcgowanmusicuk

Saturday Sept 4th

This weekend you have two last chances to soak up that festival vibe before autumn rolls in.

On your doorstep is Pulse Festival at Sunnyfields Farm, just outside Totton.

Last year’s had a wonderful feel.

This was due in part to the attitude of the farm’s owners and also the festival’s curators Olly Maw from ‘Subgiant‘ and Mark Ward from ‘Heathward‘.

The food is organic, there is plenty for children to do and headlining the main stage are the globe trotting Kissmet who’s progressive style of Bhangra Rock can galvanise any audience.

Watch out for the ambient jazz of Achilles, preceding them Southampton’s Widowmaker and topping the acoustic stage are ‘Lost Souls Club‘.

And remember their objective is to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Unit in Southampton.

Fans of ‘Reef‘ will be heading off to the three day Musicosity festival in Bournemouth this weekend.

They are headlining the O2 Academy on Saturday night and around the town 50 acts are playing from tonight until Sunday evening.

For any live act, or fan of gigging, the Musicosity website and it’s magazine are something you should investigate.

As founder Chris Jenkins points out: “It has opportunities to raise musician’s profiles, reach new people and develop grass roots music.”

The more active you are as a fan, the more rewards you receive, the more gigs you get into free.

While for bands and venues it is a brilliant method of re-connecting with the live audience.

You can find out how at musicosity.com

First published in the Southern Daily Echo 2nd Sept 2011